Support for residents struggling with their mental health

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Support for residents struggling with their mental health
Residents across Bath and North East Somerset struggling with their mental health are being urged to seek support.

Current research shows that one in four people experience mental health issues each year, and at any one time, one in six working adults are experiencing depression, anxiety, or problems relating to stress.

With the added pressures of lockdown and coronavirus restrictions the Community Wellbeing Hub has seen an increase in the number of calls from residents who are struggling with the pressures of money worries, caring for others, and increased feelings of loneliness and isolation due to social distancing and prolonged working from home.

Councillor Rob Appleyard, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “Now, more than ever, is a time to ensure we maintain a positive and supportive culture where people feel able to talk about their mental health and their experiences.  One of our key partners at the Community Wellbeing Hub is the mental health service Bath Mind, who can not only offer support but also signpost callers to support services in their own community.”

Research shows that men find it particularly difficult to talk about their mental health struggles, which is why this month, Men’s Health Awareness month, Bath Mind is particularly encouraging men to reach out for support.

Kate Morton, Chief Executive Officer of Bath Mind, said: “This is a very challenging and uncertain time for many of us, and although we are, on the whole, pretty resilient, we are in unprecedented times.  It is important not to underestimate the impact the pandemic is having on our mental health and wellbeing and it is really important we look after ourselves.

“Never feel ashamed about how you are feeling.  Talking to someone is a vital first step. Bath Mind’s Breathing Space, is a phone support service, open every evening of the week from 5.30pm to 11.30pm.  You can call in confidence on 01225 983130 if you are feeling worried or anxious and want to talk.”

For more information on Bath Mind’s Men’s Health Awareness month campaign visit: www.bathmind.org.uk/news/mens-mental-health-awareness-month-at-bath-mind/

Jo Scammell from Virgin Care BANES said: “The Community Wellbeing Hub can offer a little extra help to people when they need it most.  We have an excellent team of colleagues at Bath Mind who have been helping residents since March and this has often been a lifeline to so many.  The additional evening service they offer is extremely important particularly during the winter months.”

To contact the Community Wellbeing Hub:

Get ready for Bath’s Clean Air Zone

Bath’s clean air zone is set to launch on Monday 15 March 2021 to urgently improve air quality in the city. It means that most higher emission vehicles – except private cars and motorbikes – will be charged to drive in the city centre.

A higher emission vehicle is a Pre Euro 6/VI diesel vehicle (Euro 1 to 5/V or earlier) or Pre Euro 4 petrol vehicle (Euro 1 to 3 or earlier).

You can now check whether your vehicle will be charged using your vehicle registration number at GOV.UK’s Central Clean Air Zone Service: www.gov.uk/cleanairzone.

If charges apply, please refer to Bath & North East Somerset’s website for a list of local exemptions and whether you might be eligible for financial support to upgrade or replace a non-compliant vehicle or fleet of vehicles.

While private cars are not charged in Bath’s zone, the Council is asking everyone to consider whether they need to use their vehicle, especially for short trips where walking, cycling or taking public transport is possible. We all have a part to play in improving air quality.

 

To find out more, go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathCAZ

 

Whitchurch Village Playpark, Norton Lane, Refurbishment News!!

Following on from the consultation events held during 2019 with residents, parents and children at a Have a Field fun day, Whitchurch Primary School & St Nicholas Pre-school, we are delighted to announce that work will commence on Monday 19th October, this will include new play equipment with accessible aspects, a multi-use games area (MUGA) and a table tennis table.

View of an artist impression of the new play park

Funding for this project has been provided through Section 106 funds from developers, held by Bath & North East Somerset Council and required to be spent on play provision within Whitchurch Village.

The play area will be closed from 19th October 2020 for approximately six weeks, we are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

Whitchurch in Lights

A big thank you to all residents and businesses, who have decorated their homes/premises, making the village look so festive again this year.

There were so many fantastic displays to choose from, but after careful consideration this year’s winners are:-

Best House – Martin Squires, Blackacre

Best Business – Smartmove, Bristol Road

 

Presentation Evening at the Whitchurch Royal British Legion on November 22nd

After another successful Whitchurch Village Fete on the August Bank Holiday Monday, the Committee was able to donate cheques totalling £5,250 to 19 local charities/organisations at their Presentation Evening at the Whitchurch Royal British Legion on November 22nd.

Recipients were:-
Freewheelers Blood Bikes
Enchante Baton Twirlers
Pegasus Hawking Birds of Prey
107th Bristol (Whitchurch) Scout Group
Shaolin Wushu Martial Arts
RBL Poppy Appeal
St John Ambulance
St Peter’s Hospice
The Littlest Rescue
Barbarians Rugby Club
St Bernadette Primary School
Funding Animal Futures
Radio Bristol Alive Appeal
Jake Ogbourne
St Bernadette RC Church
Marmalade Trust
Gympanzees
Holly Hedge
St Nicholas Church

Christmas Lights Switch On 2018

Friday 30th November 2018 saw the Village Lights Switch On, and despite the threatening weather, a fantastic crowd of about 150 gathered around the centre of the Village.

The evening started with Father Christmas arriving from Staunton Fields having completed a village tour. As his sleigh had some technical problems, an army vehicle decked out with brilliant flashing lights was used, with Santa waving enthusiastically from the back of the vehicle.

Then after just one practice countdown, Santa switched on the lights in the Millennium Garden. One of the large Christmas trees was kindly donated by Whitehall Garden Centre, Norton Lane, and the other by Whitchurch Village Fete Committee, to whom we are both very grateful.

 After Santa had crossed the A37, he then led a procession of children, parents and onlookers towards St Nicholas Church, where the children of Whitchurch Primary School sang some lovely ‘Christmassy’ songs from a stage that had been set up in the Church grounds. The children, including the soloists, were brilliant as always.

New for this year was the re-siting of the choir to provide a better view of them from the audience perspective, better sound equipment and a snow machine that seemed to go down well with the crowd.

The Salvation Army then played some well-known carols, and the crowd sang along before going into the Church Hall for mulled wine and mince pies, provided by Tesco Brislington and also by some local ladies who made some delicious mince pies. Father Christmas was also very busy handing out sweets to all the children.

 Our thanks go to all of you who attended this lovely festive event. The support of the public, our villagers, and the wonderful choir and staff from the Primary School is really appreciated.

Our appreciation and acknowledgement of the support we received also goes to:

The Salvation Army, Bedminster

Tesco Brislington (donation of mince pies and chocolates)

Whitehall Garden Centre & Fete Committee (Xmas tree’s in Millennium Garden)

Lee Gillam who helped our volunteers to decorate the Christmas trees.

The volunteers who helped with the refreshments in the Hall.

The traffic marshals who helped set up the event and ensured safe passage to people crossing the A37.

Matt on the microphone and John, who arranged and set up the sound equipment

And of course, Father Christmas and his driver, who made a special effort to visit us at a very busy time of the year!!!!!

Thanks to your donations, we collected £150.00 for The Children’s Hospital, Grand Appeal.

Next year the Whitchurch Village Christmas Lights switch on will be on Friday 6th December 2019….so please put this date in your diaries now.

If you have any ideas on how we can improve the event do please let us know.

In the meantime, everyone at the Village Council wishes you all a Very Happy Christmas

 

WHITCHURCH VILLAGE FETE 2018

Despite the Sunday Car Boot Sale being a washout, Whitchurch Village held a successful August Bank Holiday Monday Fete and the local community – with their 4-legged friends – enjoyed being entertained and educated by Oldland Brass Band, Enchante Baton Twirlers, Shaolin Wushu martial arts, Ferretworld and Pegasus Hawking as well as the Family sports.

The Fete opened with waves from Peter Rabbit and Mini-on lookalikes, from Special Occasions Mascots and Fete Prince & Princess Seweryn and Brooke in their bright blue beach buggy, followed by The Littlest Rescue’s Chewy the Bunny Car.  

 The marquee was filled with beautiful flowers, photographs, arts and crafts, including a hedgehog made of grapes & 3 kiwi tortoises!

 The field was full of dogs, big and small, taking part in the Dog Show, sponsored by Highcroft Vets, and visitors were able to find out about, and support, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Holly Hedge, Forever Hounds Trust and Funding Animal Futures charities.

A huge thank you to those who collectively contributed hundreds of hours over the weekend and throughout the year to put on the event and to all those who had stalls and attended, also the 107 Scouts and the Bristol Barbarians RFC  for the parking. And ‘Thank you’ to all those who sponsored activities and donated prizes. Proceeds from the event will go to local charities and organisations.  

Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Development Plan 2015/2042

The Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Development Plan was formally approved by BANES on 6th December 2017 and is now a part of the Council’s Development Plan, which is in accordance with section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Reasons for making this decision: 96.5% of those voting in the Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Plan referendum on Thursday 16th of November 2017 voted in favour of the Plan.

A huge well done and thank you to all the Volunteers for the work they put in to complete the Plan. The final ‘made’ version of the plan is available here:-

WVNDPFinalCopyFeb2018

 

 

Whitchurch in Lights

A big thank you to all residents and businesses, who have decorated their homes/premises, making the village look so festive this year.

There were so many fantastic displays to choose from, but after careful consideration this year’s winners are:–
Best House – Joint winners
Gary & Kate Sidders, 151 Bristol Road & Dean Edwards, 149 Bristol Road
Best Business – HairbyKnight, Bristol Road